A cultural understanding of the gendered roles of families in caring for children with disability in Binga

Abstract

This paper sought to understand why the disability and gender sensitive programmes implemented in communities are exclusive of men with an attention on the roles played by men in caring for children with disabilities (CWDs). The findings from the study indicate gendered roles of men and women. Disability has a feminine face and the fathers pay little attention in caring for children with disabilities. Men have little reproductive roles in caring for children with disabilities due to cultural tendencies that regard women as the sole child minders at home. Income security marks the epitome of development organisations interventions- and these targets mainly women. The income expenditure in a household is determined by men; adversely this implies that the exclusion of men from these programmes negatively impact on the household expenditures targeting children with disabilities. They fail to get their basic needs. Premised on the gender dynamics, the findings from the study shows that the roles of either a family or the community is to promote an inclusive society, love a child with disability and ensure that they develop fully to realise their potential.
This research has established that culturally, the care of a child amongst the baTonga people is matrimonial and the mothers have a greater duty of upbringing the child.

Key Terms: child care, gender, disability, women, men, children with disability, vulnerability